Author: Nick Booth

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled

John 19:17-27

They came to Jesus and found he was already dead. – John 19:33

Clarity that Jesus was indeed dead is essential. Some argued at the time and others continue to do so, that Jesus was not actually dead but had swooned to be revived later. Apart from the somewhat absurd suggestion that the Roman soldiers would not know a dead body when they saw one, John adds the evidence of the separation of Jesus’ blood which only occurs after death. ‘One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.’ ^v34 The breaking of the legs would have guaranteed death before the start of the Sabbath. However, there was no need to break Jesus’ legs and so scripture was fulfilled again in the detail of Jesus’ crucifixion. John is either referring to the prophetic interpretation of Psalm 34:20, ‘He protects all his bones, not one of them is broken.’ Or he is referring to the Passover lamb whose bones were forbidden from being broken. ‘They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones.’ ^{Numbers 9:12}

Josh Moody summarises – “We are meant to learn, first, that Jesus definitely died, and so the resurrection was a true resurrection, from the dead. Second, we should learn that the death of Jesus was no accident but a planned and prophesied event, connected to the Passover lamb of God, given to us as a fulfilment of all that the Exodus lamb represented, by finally and completely taking away the sins of God’s people.” (John 13-21 for you.)

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled

John 19:17-27

It is finished – John 19:30

Jesus’ final words carry with them ramifications for all Christians. They were not simply a statement that his earthly life was over, they were a confirmation that he had completed all his Father had commanded him. There was nothing left to be done. He had vicariously received the wrath of God for the sake of all who will believe in him. Time and time again as Christians we live and behave as if Jesus did not pay the full price for our sin and we still have some paying to do. David’s prophetic psalm, quoted earlier, finishes with, ‘They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!’ ^{Psalm 22:31} To the unbelieving ear such as the celebrating Chief Priests and teachers of the law, it must have sounded like a confession of defeat. To the faithful ones like John and the accompanying women it must have also seemed as it was all for nothing. Despite Jesus’ consistent teaching that he must die and rise again, ^{Mark 9:30-32} they were at this stage unable to understand his words. We however are in a very different position. It is vitally important that we grasp that Jesus’ death was all sufficient and complete, and we cannot add to it. It is then that we can focus on loving him and serving him without spending effort on worrying whether we deserve his salvation. We do not but grace is underserved love.

John 19:17-27

Love and honour for parents

Mary was in all probability a widow by the time Jesus started his ministry. There is mention of Mary and his brothers and sisters but no mention of Joseph in the gospel accounts once Jesus’ work began. Earlier in his teaching Jesus had berated some Pharisees and teachers of the law for their hypocrisy, where they had avoided caring for their parents in old age by saying the money had been promised to God. Jesus accused them of distorting the law to honour one’s mother and father and thus, ‘nullifying the word of God for the sake of your tradition.’ ^{Mathew 15:6}

Contrastingly, Jesus fulfilled at the time of his crucifixion the spirit of the law as well as the letter of the law, to honour his mother. He was in great agony and yet he could see the agony and questions of his mother and reached out to her in love arranging that her care should be met by John. There is no record of Jesus’ siblings being present, even James who was to become the head of the Jerusalem church. Jesus here is demonstrating there is no division between family love and responsibilities and spiritual responsibilities and love. He shows also to the church family that we have responsibilities to care for each other and no one should be left alone and unprovided for. John from that moment took on the care of Mary. ^v27

The recorded presence of the four named women to witness and be with Jesus at this time is of great significance in a world that held women in low esteem. Standing close by and experiencing huge personal grief were four women who loved Jesus, his mother, his aunt, Mary the mother of Clopas and Mary Magdalene who was also a witness of his resurrection in John 20. We can only imagine how hard it was for them and especially his mother who had received such astonishing prophecies prior to Jesus’ birth. While others had deserted Jesus when it appeared too costly to be associated with him, these women made their choice and stood by him whatever the ridicule or threat they may have been subject to. It asks the question, is the cross one step too far for us? Will we reject Jesus at the cross or follow him as these brave loving women did? They stood in contrast to the soldiers who missed the point through familiarity with brutal executions, cynicism and the distraction of gambling for Jesus’ clothes.

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled

John 19:17-27

I am a worm and not a man – Psalm 22:6

John does not emphasise the gruesome brutality and level of suffering Jesus experienced. It is recorded in sparse detail with little description. However, to all contemporary readers the horror of a Roman crucifixion will have been a graphic reality. The public humiliation was emphasized by the closeness to the city of the crucifixion site. ‘Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near to the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.’ Pilate, even though he did not understand the true ramifications of his judgement and actions understood that in a unique sense Jesus was “King of the Jews” and he wanted it known. He also was well aware of Jesus’ innocence even though he succumbed to pressure from the Temple hierarchy. For John though it was the bare facts and how they fulfilled Jesus’ own intentional path that was important, summed up in Jesus’ own words, It is finished.’ ^v30 Psalm 22:18 is quoted as being fulfilled (v24) when the soldiers share out Jesus’ clothes by throwing lots. Psalm 22, written by David in the middle of great peril and trial, perhaps when fleeing from his son Absalom, is given fresh meaning in the New Testament as also applying to the suffering of Jesus with uncanny accuracy.

‘But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. He trusts in the Lord, they say, let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. ^{Ps 22:6-8}

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouthis dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. ^{Ps 22:11-18}

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled

John 19:17-27

The heart of the Christian faith

John’s sparse description of Jesus’ crucifixion, along with the other gospel accounts, is the lens through which Christians are to see themselves, the world, God’s plans and the character of God himself. It is the crucifixion that is the centre point or bullseye of the bible. Everything in the bible is either leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross or arises from it. Jesus’ coming crucifixion was laid out in the Old Testament for all to see but grossly misunderstood. The crucifixion enacts and demonstrates divine love, it is mercy unrivalled, it is beauty reinterpreted, it defines living and dying with purpose. It shows kingship in a way never grasped before although the law (Deuteronomy 17:14-17) made clear that humility was to be the hallmark of Godly kingship. The apostles and early church, many of whom were first hand witnesses of Jesus’ death made belief in his crucifixion the starting point of faith and new life in Christ. Peter declared as a first fundamental in his speech to the bemused crowd on the day the Holy Spirit was given to the gathered disciples, ‘Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.’ ^{Acts 2:36} Adopting Christ’s death as one’s own spiritual experience in dying to self and living for Christ through the gift of the Holy Spirit is to be the Christians’s daily experience. ‘Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.’ ^{Galatians 5:24-25} This passage then in John’s gospel along with the other crucifixion accounts in the gospels ought to be well known and regularly visited by all of Jesus’ followers.